Envelop



.l. OBRIIEN.

ENVELOP.

APPLICATION FILED DEC. 3, 1917.

1 ,305 ,304, Patented June 3, 1919.

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UNITED STATES PATENT cr me- JOHN OBRIEN, OF ST. PAUL, MINNESOTA.

ENvELoP.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that 1, JOHN OBRIEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at St. Paul, in the county of Ramsey and State of Minnesota, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Envelops, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to improvements in envelops, and has particular reference to that type of inclosure usually used for incasing letters, documents, etc.; and wherein the main body or pocket portion is open along one edge and is closed and sealed by a single closure fold.

One of the objects of my invention is to provide a device capable of withstanding hard usage, and that may be used repeatedly without the usual mutilation and disfigurement.

A further object of my invention is to provide a device, that may be readily prepared for remailing and which may be sealed or stamped in a manner to reveal any tampering taking place during its transit.

The invention consists in certain novel features of construction, combination and arrangement of parts shown in the drawings and specifically described in the specification.

Referring to the drawings,

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an envelop sealed for transmission and embodying the invention,

Fig. 2 is a perspective view of the envelop in open position to receive matter to be inclosed,

Fig. 3 is a sectional view on line 33, of Fig. 1, and

Fig. 4: is a fragmentary perspective View showing some of the details of construction.

Referring to Fig. 1 of the drawings, A represents the main body or pocket member of an ordinary envelop which may be made of any suitable material and which comprises two rectangular walls joined together along three of their edges. The free edges of said walls form the opening of the pocket member A. Folding along the free edge of each of said walls and integral therewith, are closure folds or flaps 3 and 4, each having, central of its length, and near its outer edge, holes 5 and 6 respectively, through either of which, a cord 7 may be passed, or tied to either flap as the case may require, and which will be hereinafter explained.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented June 3,1919.

Application filed. December 3, 1917. Serial No. 205,032.

As shown in Fig. 1, the flaps are foldable, the one superimposed on the other, and folded against the outer face of the pocket A; the holes 6 and 5, being arranged to register when in this position.

The flaps are adapted to carry on their outward faces,such addresses and directions as may be necessary for its safe transit and which will be dwelt upon later.

The cord 7 (Fig. 2), is tied to the flap 4 and is strung through the hole 5, which, in the process of closing and sealing the envelop, is pulled taut against, and around one of two buttons 8, and then returned adjacent its taut portion, and there held in locked position by the gummed seal 9. Thus the flap strung on the cord is controlled thereby against opening. When the flaps are reversed the cord is tied to flap 3.

Any suitable sealing medium may be employed. When however, postage is to be used, stamps may be substituted for the seal.

One of the objects of the invention is to provide an envelop that may be used repeatedly between two remote points, where a constant exchange of messages or reports is necessary; as for example, the Railway Mail Service. Ordinary envelops used for remailing become more or less mutilated, especially at the sealing point, and require change of address. To overcome the above disadvantages, I provide as shown in Fig. 3, a reinforcing band 10, suitably applied, to firmly adhere to the outside of both of the walls of the pocket member A and extending toward, and overlapping the outer edge of the flaps 3 and 4, when the latter are folded in sealed position.

Referring again to Fig. 3, centrally on the band 10 and in alinement, laterally, with the button 8, and similar thereto, is a second button 9; both of said buttons having suitable fastening in the main body A. Upon inspection of Fig. 3, it will be noted that the flaps may be folded upon the outer face of either wall, as indicated by the dotted lines, thus interchanging the addresses indicated on the flaps, one of which is always conrenders the place for attaching the seal or postage, and for fastening the buttons 8 and 9, strong and durable.

WVhen the envelop is made of cloth or other soft material, a wire bail or frame 11 is provided which fits loosely within the pocket member, and is covered at its upper edge along the folding lines of the flaps by a strip 12, which is sewed or stitched to the main body of the envelop, and constitutes a stiifening means for the hinge or folds of the flaps.

I would have it understood that though my invention is primarily intended to be used for incasing all sorts of written and printed matter, it may be applied to certain types of cartons for inclosing certain kinds of merchandise.

I claim:

In an envelop comprising a rectangular pocket member having two flat sides and an opening along one edge, said sides extend ing beyond the opening to form a closure flap on either side thereof, said closure flaps being foldable collectively in either direction over said open end against the outer sides of said pocket member, each of the flaps having an opening near its outer edge,

the flaps being arranged one over the other JOHN OBRIEN.

IVitnesses HARRY nrss, I GEORGE VOELKER.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for five cents each, by addressing the Commissioner of Patents, Washington, D. C. 

